Pushing Boundaries
C H A I N S
There seemed to be a stalemate with the Hyuga’s and there transferring of money. Unless this was the brothers method and means of a scare tactic. We were here for at least a month, which was a dead giveaway thanks due to my monthly visitor informing me so. During that time I made sure to seclude myself by holing up in my room denying myself the joy of going for the little ritualistic walks that were slowly becoming a silent routine with the youngest and I. I gathered they dealt with this type of ‘issue’ before because the cabinet below the sink in the bathroom was stocked with feminine hygiene products. As grateful as I was it was a private thing I wished to drag out at home in bed with the Tylenol grinding between my teeth until it was chalky and the grains slid down my throat.
When the spell was over I returned to wanting those little walks again and without questioning me or hassling me with resistance to my keen interest again, we fit back into our normal routine. After breakfast on cue he retrieved the dish set the plate on the counter top, told me to turn around, bound my wrists, and I lead. I explored a few different paths but if I strayed to one he didn’t approve of he would give a good yank to stall my steps and I would resume the straight and narrow path forward.
Our captors seemed a bit more relaxed with our good behavior and allowed us to be present at the dinner table, with beautiful bracelets of course. It was the first time I saw HInata since our separation. I wasn’t sure where they put her but it seemed given her lack of bruising or ligature marks around her ankles and wrists she had a room just as comfortable as mine. During these feats we would eat silently while the brothers conversed in a language I could only speculate was Russian. Handy to know. Maybe they were from there. I’d crossed plenty of them in the ER and they were a tough breed. They had sharp features, harsh voices, and even their mannerisms were rough. But then there were glimpses where certain angles of their face reminded me of traditional Japanese men. Especially with the long hair. Most Russians sported long and proud beards, both were clean shaven, but the elder one’s hair reminded me of a samurai the way it was pulled back and tucked neatly into its red band.
When one faced adversity it helped to think of little things to keep yourself sane and grounded to pass the time while in captivity. Such as, I found out the elder’s name was Itachi. The younger one Sasuke. They indeed were brothers. Itachi was also an excellent cook. He prepared almost every dish we’ve consumed and I hated to admit it but the flavors were always bold and brilliant when they hit my tongue. Tonight was rubbed steak, I had cracked my window to let the warm breeze roll in and caught the pungent plume of smoke blowing on the wind. I’d never known anyone who used smokers for their food but I had certainly tasted the food and it was unlike anything I’d ever eaten. I could smell the Apple wood chips baking deliciously into the meat and the charred edges sang to me in the flavor of charcoal. The meat was tender, the juices running, and the seasoning elevated it to a higher level. This was what gourmets would call otherworldly. He had a talent. But why on earth would he waste all that preparation for two captives? It felt too tedious. Like we were consuming our last meal. I heard the little peak of delight in the squeak of her note as she too noticed the unfurling flavors. Not even the banquets we attended had this rich of a taste.
She shot me a withered ghostly glance which I took for apprehension. Even the language was intimidating. I gave her a fainthearted smile that barely registered within her eyes as she darted her gaze away as skittishly as a shadow. I severed the gristle pushing it to the corner of my plate before finally bubbling over in annoyance. They could be talking about us in a lewd manner for all we knew.
“Hinata are you alright?” Her alabaster pearls where as wide as saucers as she caught my expression. I kept my head held high and somehow worked my magic to disrupt the gruff exchanging of words. I had all six sets of eyes fixed on me. Normally I would shrink under the pressure but I’ve been pressed through worse. I was actually grateful I wasn’t looking at her through the lens of my surgical glasses. “Well?” I urged her. There was no protests from either twinning lips. At least not yet. She shook her head. I nodded gingerly encouraging her.
“I-I’m alright…and y-you?” I saw the sheen of her skin glisten in a thin layer of sweat on her brow as she stole a glance to the males watching the spectacle. I knew she’d rather distract herself and scarf down the rest of her meal to go back to being a shut-in.
“Well. You should come for a walk with me.” It sounded like nonchalant chatter but I was pressing my boundary to see how far I could get away with something. I felt the restraint of my cuff on my wrist as I put down my utensils and folded my hands upon my lap. Another hesitant gaze to the pair and then back to me.
“That can be arranged.” Itachi spoke in a light tone, as lightly as a monster could respond without sounding menacing, but I could tell the request would be a trial. I could visualize the period at the end of his sentence. The words closing and not allowing any further debate or question. Sasuke looked at his brother with a mirrored placid expression. But I knew like before when I reached out to grab his sleeve the unspoken words didn’t surface to the features of their expressions, but rather through their eyes. Another thing detectives used when dealing with the tools of tactics. Minuscule movements are hidden to the untrained eye naked enough to let the gestures pass unseen. But I saw the very slight arch of his sculpted black raven feathered brow and a shooting star invisibly arch across the sphere of his shark eyes. This exchange took seconds but to me I analyzed every little movement I could. Itachi simply lent his brother a small clue in his furrowed brows and dismissed anything more with a sharp and quick shake of his head.